一、Part Ⅱ Listening Comprehension
1、Question 1 is based on the conversation you have just heard.
A、She advocates animal protection.
B、She sells a special kind of coffee.
C、She is going to start a café chain.
D、She is the owner of a special café.
解析：
Conversation One
M: Tonight we have a special guest from a local establishment, the Parisian Café. Welcome!
W: Hi, thanks for having me on your show.
M: Thank you for joining us. (1) So please tell us, why did you decide to open a café?
M: Well, we saw the opportunity to offer something a little special and different from other establishments. Cafés certainly are a very competitive market sector. (2) There are more than plenty in our city, and we felt they are all rather similar to each other. Wouldn’t you agree?
M: Certainly yes. So how is your establishment any different?
W: Well, simply put, we have rabbits wondering freely around the place. Our customers come in and enjoy their food and drinks while little rabbits play about and brush against their legs. There is no other place like it.
M: That’s amazing! How did you come up with the idea?
W: We saw other cafes with cats in them. So we thought, why not rabbits? People love rabbits. They are very cute animals.
M: But is it safe? Do the rabbits ever bite people? Or do any customers ever hurt the rabbits?
W: It’s perfectly safe for both the rabbits and our customers. Rabbits are very peaceful and certainly do not bite. (3) Furthermore, our rabbits are regularly cleaned and have all received the required shots. So there is no health risk whatsoever. (4) As for our customers, they are all animal lovers, so they would never try to hurt the rabbits. Sometimes a young child may get over-excited, and they are a little too rough, but it’s never a serious matter. On the contrary, the Parisian Café offers a great experience for children, a chance for them to learn about rabbits and how to take care of them.
M: Well, it’s certainly the first time I’ve heard a café like that.
1. What do we learn about the woman?
解析：D。本题目为细节题。问题为：关于这位女士，我们可以知道什么？根据原文可知，男士问女士为什么会决定开一家咖啡馆，之后女士有说明这家咖啡馆的独特之处，所以女士是一家特殊咖啡店的老板，故正确答案为D。
2、Question 2 is based on the conversation you have just heard.
A、They bear a lot of similarities.
B、They are a profitable business sector.
C、They cater to different customers.
D、They help take care of customers’ pets.
解析：
Conversation One
M: Tonight we have a special guest from a local establishment, the Parisian Café. Welcome!
W: Hi, thanks for having me on your show.
M: Thank you for joining us. (1) So please tell us, why did you decide to open a café?
M: Well, we saw the opportunity to offer something a little special and different from other establishments. Cafés certainly are a very competitive market sector. (2) There are more than plenty in our city, and we felt they are all rather similar to each other. Wouldn’t you agree?
M: Certainly yes. So how is your establishment any different?
W: Well, simply put, we have rabbits wondering freely around the place. Our customers come in and enjoy their food and drinks while little rabbits play about and brush against their legs. There is no other place like it.
M: That’s amazing! How did you come up with the idea?
W: We saw other cafes with cats in them. So we thought, why not rabbits? People love rabbits. They are very cute animals.
M: But is it safe? Do the rabbits ever bite people? Or do any customers ever hurt the rabbits?
W: It’s perfectly safe for both the rabbits and our customers. Rabbits are very peaceful and certainly do not bite. (3) Furthermore, our rabbits are regularly cleaned and have all received the required shots. So there is no health risk whatsoever. (4) As for our customers, they are all animal lovers, so they would never try to hurt the rabbits. Sometimes a young child may get over-excited, and they are a little too rough, but it’s never a serious matter. On the contrary, the Parisian Café offers a great experience for children, a chance for them to learn about rabbits and how to take care of them.
M: Well, it’s certainly the first time I’ve heard a café like that.
2. What does the woman say about cafés in her city?
解析：A。本题目为细节题。问题为：女士对她所在城市的咖啡馆有什么看法？根据原文可知，女士说城市里有许多咖啡馆，并且她觉得那些咖啡馆都很相似，故正确答案为A。原文中提到咖啡馆是一个极具竞争力的市场，所以B项和原文不符。C、D两项原文中并未提及。
3、Question 3 is based on the conversation you have just heard.
A、By giving them regular cleaning and injections.
B、By selecting breeds that are tame and peaceful.
C、By placing them at a safe distance from customers.
D、By briefing customers on how to get along with them.
解析：
Conversation One
M: Tonight we have a special guest from a local establishment, the Parisian Café. Welcome!
W: Hi, thanks for having me on your show.
M: Thank you for joining us. (1) So please tell us, why did you decide to open a café?
M: Well, we saw the opportunity to offer something a little special and different from other establishments. Cafés certainly are a very competitive market sector. (2) There are more than plenty in our city, and we felt they are all rather similar to each other. Wouldn’t you agree?
M: Certainly yes. So how is your establishment any different?
W: Well, simply put, we have rabbits wondering freely around the place. Our customers come in and enjoy their food and drinks while little rabbits play about and brush against their legs. There is no other place like it.
M: That’s amazing! How did you come up with the idea?
W: We saw other cafes with cats in them. So we thought, why not rabbits? People love rabbits. They are very cute animals.
M: But is it safe? Do the rabbits ever bite people? Or do any customers ever hurt the rabbits?
W: It’s perfectly safe for both the rabbits and our customers. Rabbits are very peaceful and certainly do not bite. (3) Furthermore, our rabbits are regularly cleaned and have all received the required shots. So there is no health risk whatsoever. (4) As for our customers, they are all animal lovers, so they would never try to hurt the rabbits. Sometimes a young child may get over-excited, and they are a little too rough, but it’s never a serious matter. On the contrary, the Parisian Café offers a great experience for children, a chance for them to learn about rabbits and how to take care of them.
M: Well, it’s certainly the first time I’ve heard a café like that.
3. How does the Parisian Café guarantee that its rabbits pose no health threat?
解析：A。本题目为细节题。问题为：巴黎咖啡馆如何保证它的兔子对健康没有威胁？根据原文可知，咖啡馆的兔子会定期做清洁，并且都得到了所需的免疫注射，所以没有任何健康风险。题干中的injections是原文required shots的同义替换，故正确答案为A。
4、Question 4 is based on the conversation you have just heard.
A、They want to learn about rabbits.
B、They like to bring in their children.
C、They love the animals in her café.
D、They give her café favorite reviews.
解析：
Conversation One
M: Tonight we have a special guest from a local establishment, the Parisian Café. Welcome!
W: Hi, thanks for having me on your show.
M: Thank you for joining us. (1) So please tell us, why did you decide to open a café?
M: Well, we saw the opportunity to offer something a little special and different from other establishments. Cafés certainly are a very competitive market sector. (2) There are more than plenty in our city, and we felt they are all rather similar to each other. Wouldn’t you agree?
M: Certainly yes. So how is your establishment any different?
W: Well, simply put, we have rabbits wondering freely around the place. Our customers come in and enjoy their food and drinks while little rabbits play about and brush against their legs. There is no other place like it.
M: That’s amazing! How did you come up with the idea?
W: We saw other cafes with cats in them. So we thought, why not rabbits? People love rabbits. They are very cute animals.
M: But is it safe? Do the rabbits ever bite people? Or do any customers ever hurt the rabbits?
W: It’s perfectly safe for both the rabbits and our customers. Rabbits are very peaceful and certainly do not bite. (3) Furthermore, our rabbits are regularly cleaned and have all received the required shots. So there is no health risk whatsoever. (4) As for our customers, they are all animal lovers, so they would never try to hurt the rabbits. Sometimes a young child may get over-excited, and they are a little too rough, but it’s never a serious matter. On the contrary, the Parisian Café offers a great experience for children, a chance for them to learn about rabbits and how to take care of them.
M: Well, it’s certainly the first time I’ve heard a café like that.
4. What does the woman say about their customers?
解析：C。本题目为细节题。问题为：女士对客户的评价是什么？根据原文可知，女士说到她的客人们都是动物爱好者，他们绝对不会去伤害兔子，故正确答案为C。女士在最后提到咖啡馆为孩子们提供了一个很好的体验机会，能让他们了解兔子以及如何照顾它们，但并不是说的所有客人都想要了解兔子，所以A项与原文不符。文中提到了会有孩子来的情况，但并没有说明客人喜欢带着孩子来，故排除B。D项在文中并未提及。
5、Question 5 is based on the conversation you have just heard.
A、It contains too many additives.
B、It lacks the essential vitamins.
C、It can cause obesity.
D、It is mostly garbage.
解析：
Conversation Two
M: Hi, there! How are you?
W: Oh, hi. I’m great! Thanks. You look great, too.
M: Thank you. It’s good to see you shopping at the organic section. I see you’ve got a lot of healthy stuff. (5) I wish I could buy more organic produce from here, but I find the kids don’t like it. I don’t know about yours, but mine are all about junk food.
W: Oh, trust me! I know exactly how you feel. (5) My children are the same. What is it with kids these days and all that junk food they eat? (6) I think it’s all that advertising on TV. That’s where they get it.
M: Yes, it must be. (6) My children see something on TV and they immediately want it. It’s like they don’t realize it’s just an advertisement.
W: Right. And practically everything that’s advertised for children is unhealthy processed foods. No surprise then it becomes a battle for us parents to feed our children ordinary fruit and vegetables.
M: That’s just the thing. One never sees ordinary ingredients being advertised on TV. It’s never a carrot or a peach. It’s always some garbage, like chocolate-covered sweets. So unhealthy.
W: Exactly. (7) And these big food corporations have so much money to spend on clever tactics designed to make young children want to buy their products. Children never stand a chance. It’s really not fair.
M: (7) You are so right. (8) When we were children, we barely had any junk food available, and we turned out just fine.
W: Yes. My parents don’t understand any of it. Both the TV commercials and the supermarkets are alien to them. Their world were so different back when they were young.
M: I don’t know what will happen to the next generation.
W: The world is going crazy.
M: You bet.
5. What do the speakers say about the food their children like?
解析：D。本题目为细节题。问题为：讲话者说他们的孩子喜欢什么食物？根据原文可知，男士说到他希望他能购买更多的有机产品，但他发现孩子们不喜欢这些健康食品，他们很喜欢那些垃圾食品。之后女士表示理解，并说她的孩子也是这样。所以讲话者的孩子都喜欢垃圾食品，故正确答案为D。
6、Question 6 is based on the conversation you have just heard.
A、Its fancy design.
B、TV commercials.
C、Its taste and texture.
D、Peer influence.
解析：
Conversation Two
M: Hi, there! How are you?
W: Oh, hi. I’m great! Thanks. You look great, too.
M: Thank you. It’s good to see you shopping at the organic section. I see you’ve got a lot of healthy stuff. (5) I wish I could buy more organic produce from here, but I find the kids don’t like it. I don’t know about yours, but mine are all about junk food.
W: Oh, trust me! I know exactly how you feel. (5) My children are the same. What is it with kids these days and all that junk food they eat? (6) I think it’s all that advertising on TV. That’s where they get it.
M: Yes, it must be. (6) My children see something on TV and they immediately want it. It’s like they don’t realize it’s just an advertisement.
W: Right. And practically everything that’s advertised for children is unhealthy processed foods. No surprise then it becomes a battle for us parents to feed our children ordinary fruit and vegetables.
M: That’s just the thing. One never sees ordinary ingredients being advertised on TV. It’s never a carrot or a peach. It’s always some garbage, like chocolate-covered sweets. So unhealthy.
W: Exactly. (7) And these big food corporations have so much money to spend on clever tactics designed to make young children want to buy their products. Children never stand a chance. It’s really not fair.
M: (7) You are so right. (8) When we were children, we barely had any junk food available, and we turned out just fine.
W: Yes. My parents don’t understand any of it. Both the TV commercials and the supermarkets are alien to them. Their world were so different back when they were young.
M: I don’t know what will happen to the next generation.
W: The world is going crazy.
M: You bet.
6. According to the speakers, what affects children’s choice of food most?
解析：B。本题目为细节题。问题为：根据讲话人的说法，什么因素会影响儿童对食物的选择？根据原文可知，女士认为孩子们对于垃圾食品的喜爱都是因为受到电视广告的影响，之后男士也表示认同，并说他的孩子在电视上看到什么就会想要什么。所以电视广告会影响儿童对食物的选择，故正确答案为B。
7、Question 7 is based on the conversation you have just heard.
A、Investing heavily in the production of sweet foods.
B、Marketing their products with ordinary ingredients.
C、Trying to trick children into buying their products.
D、Offering children more varieties to choose from.
解析：
Conversation Two
M: Hi, there! How are you?
W: Oh, hi. I’m great! Thanks. You look great, too.
M: Thank you. It’s good to see you shopping at the organic section. I see you’ve got a lot of healthy stuff. (5) I wish I could buy more organic produce from here, but I find the kids don’t like it. I don’t know about yours, but mine are all about junk food.
W: Oh, trust me! I know exactly how you feel. (5) My children are the same. What is it with kids these days and all that junk food they eat? (6) I think it’s all that advertising on TV. That’s where they get it.
M: Yes, it must be. (6) My children see something on TV and they immediately want it. It’s like they don’t realize it’s just an advertisement.
W: Right. And practically everything that’s advertised for children is unhealthy processed foods. No surprise then it becomes a battle for us parents to feed our children ordinary fruit and vegetables.
M: That’s just the thing. One never sees ordinary ingredients being advertised on TV. It’s never a carrot or a peach. It’s always some garbage, like chocolate-covered sweets. So unhealthy.
W: Exactly. (7) And these big food corporations have so much money to spend on clever tactics designed to make young children want to buy their products. Children never stand a chance. It’s really not fair.
M: (7) You are so right. (8) When we were children, we barely had any junk food available, and we turned out just fine.
W: Yes. My parents don’t understand any of it. Both the TV commercials and the supermarkets are alien to them. Their world were so different back when they were young.
M: I don’t know what will happen to the next generation.
W: The world is going crazy.
M: You bet.
7. What do the speakers believe big food corporations are doing?
解析：C。本题目为细节题。问题为：讲话者认为大型食品公司在做什么？根据原文可知，女士说到大型食品公司会花很多钱去想一些巧妙的策略，目的是让孩子们想购买他们的产品，男士也表示赞同。故正确答案为C。
8、Question 8 is based on the conversation you have just heard.
A、They hardly ate vegetables.
B、They seldom had junk food.
C、They favored chocolate-coated sweets.
D、They liked the food advertised on TV.
解析：
Conversation Two
M: Hi, there! How are you?
W: Oh, hi. I’m great! Thanks. You look great, too.
M: Thank you. It’s good to see you shopping at the organic section. I see you’ve got a lot of healthy stuff. (5) I wish I could buy more organic produce from here, but I find the kids don’t like it. I don’t know about yours, but mine are all about junk food.
W: Oh, trust me! I know exactly how you feel. (5) My children are the same. What is it with kids these days and all that junk food they eat? (6) I think it’s all that advertising on TV. That’s where they get it.
M: Yes, it must be. (6) My children see something on TV and they immediately want it. It’s like they don’t realize it’s just an advertisement.
W: Right. And practically everything that’s advertised for children is unhealthy processed foods. No surprise then it becomes a battle for us parents to feed our children ordinary fruit and vegetables.
M: That’s just the thing. One never sees ordinary ingredients being advertised on TV. It’s never a carrot or a peach. It’s always some garbage, like chocolate-covered sweets. So unhealthy.
W: Exactly. (7) And these big food corporations have so much money to spend on clever tactics designed to make young children want to buy their products. Children never stand a chance. It’s really not fair.
M: (7) You are so right. (8) When we were children, we barely had any junk food available, and we turned out just fine.
W: Yes. My parents don’t understand any of it. Both the TV commercials and the supermarkets are alien to them. Their world were so different back when they were young.
M: I don’t know what will happen to the next generation.
W: The world is going crazy.
M: You bet.
8. What do we know about the speakers when they were children?
解析：B。本题目为细节题。问题为：当讲话者是孩子的时候，我们对他们有什么了解？根据原文可知，当讲话者是孩子的时候，他们很少可以吃到垃圾食品，结果成长的也很好。故正确答案为B。
9、Question 9 is based on the passage you have just heard.
A、Stretches of farmland.
B、Typical Egyptian animal farms.
C、Tombs of ancient rulers.
D、Ruins left by devastating floods.
解析：
Passage One
As some 2,320 miles in length, the Mississippi is the longest river in the Unites States. At some 1,000 miles, the Mackenzie is the longest river in Canada. But these waterways seem minute in comparison to the world’s two longest rivers—the Nile and the Amazon.
The Nile, which begins in central Africa and flows over 4,100 miles north into the Mediterranean, hosted one of the world’s great ancient civilizations along its shores. Calm and peaceful for most of the year, the Nile used to flood annually, thereby creating, irrigating and carrying new topsoil to the nearby farmland on which Egypt depended for livelihood. As a means of transportation, the river carried various vessels up and down its length. (9) A journey through the unobstructed part of this waterway today would pass by the splendid Valley of the Kings, where the tombs of many of these ancient monarchs have stood for over 3,000 years.
(10) Great civilizations and intensive settlement are hardly associated with the Amazon, (11) yet this 4,000-mile-long South American river carries about 20% of the world’s fresh water—more than the Mississippi, Nile and Yangtze combined. Other statistics are equally astonishing. The Amazon is so wide at some points that from its center neither shore can be seen. Each second, the Amazon pours some 55 million gallons of water into the Atlantic; there, at its mouth, stands one island larger than Switzerland. Most important of all, the Amazon irrigates the largest tropical rain forest on Earth.
9. What can be found in the Valley of the Kings?
解析：C。本题目为细节题。问题为：在帝王谷里可以找到什么？根据原文可知，如今只要穿过这条畅通无阻的水道，就会经过壮丽的帝王谷，在那里，许多古代帝王的陵墓已经矗立了3000多年。故正确答案为C。
10、Question 10 is based on the passage you have just heard.
A、It provides habitats for more primitive tribes.
B、It is hardly associated with great civilizations.
C、It has not yet been fully explored and exploited.
D、It gathers water from many tropical rain forests.
解析：
Passage One
As some 2,320 miles in length, the Mississippi is the longest river in the Unites States. At some 1,000 miles, the Mackenzie is the longest river in Canada. But these waterways seem minute in comparison to the world’s two longest rivers—the Nile and the Amazon.
The Nile, which begins in central Africa and flows over 4,100 miles north into the Mediterranean, hosted one of the world’s great ancient civilizations along its shores. Calm and peaceful for most of the year, the Nile used to flood annually, thereby creating, irrigating and carrying new topsoil to the nearby farmland on which Egypt depended for livelihood. As a means of transportation, the river carried various vessels up and down its length. (9) A journey through the unobstructed part of this waterway today would pass by the splendid Valley of the Kings, where the tombs of many of these ancient monarchs have stood for over 3,000 years.
(10) Great civilizations and intensive settlement are hardly associated with the Amazon, (11) yet this 4,000-mile-long South American river carries about 20% of the world’s fresh water—more than the Mississippi, Nile and Yangtze combined. Other statistics are equally astonishing. The Amazon is so wide at some points that from its center neither shore can be seen. Each second, the Amazon pours some 55 million gallons of water into the Atlantic; there, at its mouth, stands one island larger than Switzerland. Most important of all, the Amazon irrigates the largest tropical rain forest on Earth.
10. In what way is the Amazon different from other big rivers?
解析：B。本题目为细节题。问题为：亚马逊河与其他大河流有什么区别？根据原文可知，伟大的文明和密集的定居区与亚马逊河几乎没有联系。故正确答案为B。
11、Question 11 is based on the passage you have just heard.
A、It carries about one fifth of the world’s fresh water.
B、It has numerous human settlements along its banks.
C、It is second only to the Mississippi River in width.
D、It is as long as the Nile and the Yangtze combined.
解析：
Passage One
As some 2,320 miles in length, the Mississippi is the longest river in the Unites States. At some 1,000 miles, the Mackenzie is the longest river in Canada. But these waterways seem minute in comparison to the world’s two longest rivers—the Nile and the Amazon.
The Nile, which begins in central Africa and flows over 4,100 miles north into the Mediterranean, hosted one of the world’s great ancient civilizations along its shores. Calm and peaceful for most of the year, the Nile used to flood annually, thereby creating, irrigating and carrying new topsoil to the nearby farmland on which Egypt depended for livelihood. As a means of transportation, the river carried various vessels up and down its length. (9) A journey through the unobstructed part of this waterway today would pass by the splendid Valley of the Kings, where the tombs of many of these ancient monarchs have stood for over 3,000 years.
(10) Great civilizations and intensive settlement are hardly associated with the Amazon, (11) yet this 4,000-mile-long South American river carries about 20% of the world’s fresh water—more than the Mississippi, Nile and Yangtze combined. Other statistics are equally astonishing. The Amazon is so wide at some points that from its center neither shore can be seen. Each second, the Amazon pours some 55 million gallons of water into the Atlantic; there, at its mouth, stands one island larger than Switzerland. Most important of all, the Amazon irrigates the largest tropical rain forest on Earth.
11. What does the speaker say about the Amazon?
解析：A。本题目为细节题。问题为：关于亚马逊河，讲话人说了些什么？根据原文可知，这条4000英里长的南美洲河流承载着世界上20%的淡水，比密西西比河、尼罗河和长江的总和还要多。故正确答案为A。
12、Question 12 is based on the passage you have just heard.
A、Living a life in the fast lane leads to success.
B、We are always in a rush to do various things.
C、The search for tranquility has become a trend.
D、All of us actually yearn for a slow and calm life.
解析：
Passage Two
How often do you say to people “I’m busy” or “I haven’t got time for that”. (12) It is an inevitable truth that all of us live a life in a fast lane, even though we know that being busy is not always particularly healthy.
Growing up in New Zealand, everything was always calm and slow. People enjoyed the tranquility of a slower pace of life. But after I moved to Tokyo and lived there for a number of years, (13) I got used to having a pile of to-do list, and my calendar always looked like a mess, with loads of things to do written across it. I found myself filling my time up with endless work and social events, rushing along as busy as a bee.
Then, one day, (14) I came across a book called In Praise of Slowness and realized that being busy is not only detrimental, but also has the danger of turning life into an endless race. So I started practicing the various practical steps mentioned by the author in the book, and begun to revolt against the very idea of being too busy. (15) It doesn’t mean that my to-do lists no longer exist, but I’ve become more aware of the important of slowing down and making sure that I enjoy the daily activities as I carry them out.
From now on, when someone ask you how your life is, try responding with words like “exciting and fun” instead of the culture norm that says “busy”. See if you experience the tranquility that follows.
12. What does the speaker think is an inevitable truth?
解析：B。本题目为细节题。问题为：讲话者认为什么是不可逃避的事实？根据原文可知，讲话者说到尽管我们知道忙碌并不总是特别健康，但我们所有人都生活在快节奏中，这是不可避免的事实。也就是我们总是忙于做各种事情，故正确答案为B。
13、Question 13 is based on the passage you have just heard.
A、She had trouble balancing family and work.
B、She enjoyed the various social events.
C、She was accustomed to tight schedules.
D、She spent all her leisure time writing books.
解析：
Passage Two
How often do you say to people “I’m busy” or “I haven’t got time for that”. (12) It is an inevitable truth that all of us live a life in a fast lane, even though we know that being busy is not always particularly healthy.
Growing up in New Zealand, everything was always calm and slow. People enjoyed the tranquility of a slower pace of life. But after I moved to Tokyo and lived there for a number of years, (13) I got used to having a pile of to-do list, and my calendar always looked like a mess, with loads of things to do written across it. I found myself filling my time up with endless work and social events, rushing along as busy as a bee.
Then, one day, (14) I came across a book called In Praise of Slowness and realized that being busy is not only detrimental, but also has the danger of turning life into an endless race. So I started practicing the various practical steps mentioned by the author in the book, and begun to revolt against the very idea of being too busy. (15) It doesn’t mean that my to-do lists no longer exist, but I’ve become more aware of the important of slowing down and making sure that I enjoy the daily activities as I carry them out.
From now on, when someone ask you how your life is, try responding with words like “exciting and fun” instead of the culture norm that says “busy”. See if you experience the tranquility that follows.
13. What does the speaker say about her life in Tokyo?
解析：C。本题目为细节题。问题为：讲话者怎样评价她在东京的生活？根据原文可知，讲话者提到她习惯了有一堆要做的事情，她的日程表看起来总是一团糟，上面写满了需要做的事情。故正确答案为C。
14、Question 14 is based on the passage you have just heard.
A、The possibility of ruining her family.
B、Becoming aware of her declining health.
C、The fatigue from living a fast-paced life.
D、Reading a book about slowing down.
解析：
Passage Two
How often do you say to people “I’m busy” or “I haven’t got time for that”. (12) It is an inevitable truth that all of us live a life in a fast lane, even though we know that being busy is not always particularly healthy.
Growing up in New Zealand, everything was always calm and slow. People enjoyed the tranquility of a slower pace of life. But after I moved to Tokyo and lived there for a number of years, (13) I got used to having a pile of to-do list, and my calendar always looked like a mess, with loads of things to do written across it. I found myself filling my time up with endless work and social events, rushing along as busy as a bee.
Then, one day, (14) I came across a book called In Praise of Slowness and realized that being busy is not only detrimental, but also has the danger of turning life into an endless race. So I started practicing the various practical steps mentioned by the author in the book, and begun to revolt against the very idea of being too busy. (15) It doesn’t mean that my to-do lists no longer exist, but I’ve become more aware of the important of slowing down and making sure that I enjoy the daily activities as I carry them out.
From now on, when someone ask you how your life is, try responding with words like “exciting and fun” instead of the culture norm that says “busy”. See if you experience the tranquility that follows.
14. What made the speaker change her lifestyle?
解析：D。本题目为细节题。问题为：是什么让讲话者改变了她的生活方式？根据原文可知，讲话者偶然读了一本书，叫做《对慢的赞美》，她意识到忙碌不仅有害，而且很有可能把生活变成一种无休止的竞赛。于是讲话者开始练习作者在书中提到的各种实践步骤，并开始反抗那种太忙碌的想法。故正确答案为D。
15、Question 15 is based on the passage you have just heard.
A、She started to follow the cultural norms.
B、She came to enjoy doing everyday tasks.
C、She learned to use more polite expressions.
D、She stopped using to-do lists and calendars.
解析：
Passage Two
How often do you say to people “I’m busy” or “I haven’t got time for that”. (12) It is an inevitable truth that all of us live a life in a fast lane, even though we know that being busy is not always particularly healthy.
Growing up in New Zealand, everything was always calm and slow. People enjoyed the tranquility of a slower pace of life. But after I moved to Tokyo and lived there for a number of years, (13) I got used to having a pile of to-do list, and my calendar always looked like a mess, with loads of things to do written across it. I found myself filling my time up with endless work and social events, rushing along as busy as a bee.
Then, one day, (14) I came across a book called In Praise of Slowness and realized that being busy is not only detrimental, but also has the danger of turning life into an endless race. So I started practicing the various practical steps mentioned by the author in the book, and begun to revolt against the very idea of being too busy. (15) It doesn’t mean that my to-do lists no longer exist, but I’ve become more aware of the important of slowing down and making sure that I enjoy the daily activities as I carry them out.
From now on, when someone ask you how your life is, try responding with words like “exciting and fun” instead of the culture norm that says “busy”. See if you experience the tranquility that follows.
15. What happened after the speaker changed her lifestyle?
解析：B。本题目为细节题。问题为：讲话者改变了她的生活方式后发生了什么?根据原文可知，讲话者在改变她的生活方式后并不意味着她的任务清单已经不存在了，而她已经越来越意识到放慢脚步的重要性，并且在做日常活动的时候能够享受其中。故正确答案为B。
16、Question 16 is based on the recording you have just heard.
A、They will root out native species altogether.
B、They contribute to a region’s biodiversity.
C、They pose a threat to the local ecosystem.
D、They will crossbreed with native species.
解析：
Recording One
(16) Governments, private groups, and individuals spend billions of dollars a year trying to root out non-native organisms that are considered dangerous to ecosystems, and to prevent the introduction of new intruders. But a number of scientists question the assumption that the presence of alien species can never be acceptable in a natural ecosystem. They say that portraying introduced species as inherently bad is an unscientific approach. (17) “Distinctions between the exotic and native species are artificial,” said Dr. Micheal Rosenzweig, a professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona, “because they depend on picking a date and calling the plants and animals that show up after that date ‘exotic’.” Ecosystems free of species defined as exotic are, by default, considered the most natural. “You can’t roll back the clock and remove all exotics or fix habitats,” Dr. Rosenzweig said. “Both native and exotic species can become invasive, and so they all have to be monitored and controlled when they begin to get out of hand.”
At its core, the debate is about how to manage the world’s remaining natural ecosystems and about how, and how much, to restore other habitats. Species that invade a territory can harm ecosystems, agriculture, and human health. They can threaten some native species or even destroy and replace others. Next to habitat loss, these invasive species represent the greatest threat to biodiversity worldwide, many ecologists say. Ecologists generally define an alien species as one that people, accidentally or deliberately, carried to its new location. Across the American continents, exotic species are those introduced after the first European contact. That date, rounded off to 1500 AD, represents what ecologists consider to have been a major shift in the spread of species, including crops and livestock, as they began to migrate with humans from continent to continent.
(18) “Only a small percentage of alien species cause problems in their new habitats,” said Don Smith, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Tennessee. “Of the 7,000 alien species in the United States—out of a total of 150,000 species—only about 10 percent are invasive,” he pointed out. The other 90 percent have fit into their environments and are considered naturalized. Yet appearances can deceive, ecologists caution, and many of these exotics may be considered acceptable only because no one has documented there harmful effects. What is more, non-native species can appear harmless for decades, then turn invasive.
16. What assumption about introduced species is challenged by a number of scientists?
解析：C。本题目为细节题。问题为：关于引进物种的什么假设受到了许多科学家的质疑？根据原文可知，政府、私人团体和个人每年花很多钱试图根除被认为对生态系统有危害的非本土生物，并防止引入新入侵者。但是许多科学家质疑这样一种假设，即在自然生态系统中外来物种的存在是不可能被接受的。他们说，将引入外来物种说成是有害的观点是不科学的。故正确答案为C。
17、Question 17 is based on the recording you have just heard.
A、Their classifications are meaningful.
B、Their interactions are hard to define.
C、Their definitions are changeable.
D、Their distinctions are artificial.
解析：
Recording One
(16) Governments, private groups, and individuals spend billions of dollars a year trying to root out non-native organisms that are considered dangerous to ecosystems, and to prevent the introduction of new intruders. But a number of scientists question the assumption that the presence of alien species can never be acceptable in a natural ecosystem. They say that portraying introduced species as inherently bad is an unscientific approach. (17) “Distinctions between the exotic and native species are artificial,” said Dr. Micheal Rosenzweig, a professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona, “because they depend on picking a date and calling the plants and animals that show up after that date ‘exotic’.” Ecosystems free of species defined as exotic are, by default, considered the most natural. “You can’t roll back the clock and remove all exotics or fix habitats,” Dr. Rosenzweig said. “Both native and exotic species can become invasive, and so they all have to be monitored and controlled when they begin to get out of hand.”
At its core, the debate is about how to manage the world’s remaining natural ecosystems and about how, and how much, to restore other habitats. Species that invade a territory can harm ecosystems, agriculture, and human health. They can threaten some native species or even destroy and replace others. Next to habitat loss, these invasive species represent the greatest threat to biodiversity worldwide, many ecologists say. Ecologists generally define an alien species as one that people, accidentally or deliberately, carried to its new location. Across the American continents, exotic species are those introduced after the first European contact. That date, rounded off to 1500 AD, represents what ecologists consider to have been a major shift in the spread of species, including crops and livestock, as they began to migrate with humans from continent to continent.
(18) “Only a small percentage of alien species cause problems in their new habitats,” said Don Smith, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Tennessee. “Of the 7,000 alien species in the United States—out of a total of 150,000 species—only about 10 percent are invasive,” he pointed out. The other 90 percent have fit into their environments and are considered naturalized. Yet appearances can deceive, ecologists caution, and many of these exotics may be considered acceptable only because no one has documented there harmful effects. What is more, non-native species can appear harmless for decades, then turn invasive.
17. What dose Dr. Micheal Rosenzweig think of exotic and native species?
解析：D。本题目为细节题。问题为：Micheal Rosenzweig博士对外来物种和本土物种的看法是什么？根据原文可知，Micheal Rosenzweig博士说，外来物种和本地物种之间的区别是人为的。故正确答案为D。
18、Question 18 is based on the recording you have just heard.
A、Only a few of them cause problems to native species.
B、They may turn out to benefit the local environment.
C、Few of them can survive in their new habitats.
D、Only 10 percent of them can be naturalized.
解析：
Recording One
(16) Governments, private groups, and individuals spend billions of dollars a year trying to root out non-native organisms that are considered dangerous to ecosystems, and to prevent the introduction of new intruders. But a number of scientists question the assumption that the presence of alien species can never be acceptable in a natural ecosystem. They say that portraying introduced species as inherently bad is an unscientific approach. (17) “Distinctions between the exotic and native species are artificial,” said Dr. Micheal Rosenzweig, a professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona, “because they depend on picking a date and calling the plants and animals that show up after that date ‘exotic’.” Ecosystems free of species defined as exotic are, by default, considered the most natural. “You can’t roll back the clock and remove all exotics or fix habitats,” Dr. Rosenzweig said. “Both native and exotic species can become invasive, and so they all have to be monitored and controlled when they begin to get out of hand.”
At its core, the debate is about how to manage the world’s remaining natural ecosystems and about how, and how much, to restore other habitats. Species that invade a territory can harm ecosystems, agriculture, and human health. They can threaten some native species or even destroy and replace others. Next to habitat loss, these invasive species represent the greatest threat to biodiversity worldwide, many ecologists say. Ecologists generally define an alien species as one that people, accidentally or deliberately, carried to its new location. Across the American continents, exotic species are those introduced after the first European contact. That date, rounded off to 1500 AD, represents what ecologists consider to have been a major shift in the spread of species, including crops and livestock, as they began to migrate with humans from continent to continent.
(18) “Only a small percentage of alien species cause problems in their new habitats,” said Don Smith, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Tennessee. “Of the 7,000 alien species in the United States—out of a total of 150,000 species—only about 10 percent are invasive,” he pointed out. The other 90 percent have fit into their environments and are considered naturalized. Yet appearances can deceive, ecologists caution, and many of these exotics may be considered acceptable only because no one has documented there harmful effects. What is more, non-native species can appear harmless for decades, then turn invasive.
18. What does Professor Don Smith say about alien species?
解析：A。本题目为细节题。问题为：Don Smith教授对外来物种的看法是什么？根据原文可知，Don Smith博士说只有少量的外来物种在它们的新栖息地会造成问题。故正确答案为A。
19、Question 19 is based on the recording you have just heard.
A、Respect their traditional culture.
B、Attend their business seminars.
C、Research their specific demands.
D、Adopt the right business strategies.
解析：
Recording Two
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! And welcome to the third in our series of business seminars in the program—Doing Business Abroad. Today we are going to look at intercultural awareness, that is, the fact that not everyone is British, not everyone speaks English, and not everyone does business in the British way. And why should they? (19) If overseas business people are selling to us, then they will make every effort to speak English and to respect our traditions and methods. It is only polite for us to do the same when we visit them. It is not only polite. It is essential if we want to sell British products overseas.
First, a short quiz. Let’s see how inter culturally aware you are.
Question one: Where must you not drink alcohol on the first and seventh of every month?
Question two: Where should you never admire your host’s possessions?
Question three: How should you attract the waiter during a business lunch in Bangkok?
And Question four: Where should you try to make all your appointments either before 2:00 or after 5:30 p.m.?
Ok. Everyone had a chance to make some notes? Right. Here are the answers—although I am sure that the information could equally apply to countries other than those I have chosen.
So, number 1, (20) you must not drink alcohol on the first and seventh of the month in India. In international hotels you may find it served, but if you are having a meal with an Indian colleague, remember to avoid asking for a beer if your arrival coincides with one of those dates. 2. In Arab countries, the politeness and generosity of the people is without parallel. If you admire your colleague’s beautiful golden bowls, you may well find yourself being presented with them as a present. This is not a cheap way to do your shopping, however, as your host will, quite correctly, expect you to respond by presenting him with a gift of equal worth and beauty. In Thailand, clicking the fingers, clapping your hand, or just shouting “Waiter!” will embarrass your hosts, fellow diners, the waiter himself and, most of all, you! Place your palm downward and make an inconspicuous waving gesture, which will produce instant and satisfying results. (21) And finally, in Spain, some businesses maintain the pattern of working until about two o’clock and then returning to the office from 5:30 to 8:00, 9:00 or 10:00 in the evening.
19. What should you do when doing business with foreigners?
解析：A。本题目为细节题。问题为：与外国人做生意应该怎么做？根据原文可知，讲话者说到如果海外商人向英国推销产品，他们会尽一切努力说英语，并尊重英国的传统文化和做事方法。当英国人去其他国家做生意时，他们也会礼貌地做同样的事情。故正确答案为A。
20、Question 20 is based on the recording you have just heard.
A、Showing them your palm.
B、Giving them gifts of great value.
C、Drinking alcohol on certain days of a month.
D、Clicking your fingers loudly in their presence.
解析：
Recording Two
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! And welcome to the third in our series of business seminars in the program—Doing Business Abroad. Today we are going to look at intercultural awareness, that is, the fact that not everyone is British, not everyone speaks English, and not everyone does business in the British way. And why should they? (19) If overseas business people are selling to us, then they will make every effort to speak English and to respect our traditions and methods. It is only polite for us to do the same when we visit them. It is not only polite. It is essential if we want to sell British products overseas.
First, a short quiz. Let’s see how inter culturally aware you are.
Question one: Where must you not drink alcohol on the first and seventh of every month?
Question two: Where should you never admire your host’s possessions?
Question three: How should you attract the waiter during a business lunch in Bangkok?
And Question four: Where should you try to make all your appointments either before 2:00 or after 5:30 p.m.?
Ok. Everyone had a chance to make some notes? Right. Here are the answers—although I am sure that the information could equally apply to countries other than those I have chosen.
So, number 1, (20) you must not drink alcohol on the first and seventh of the month in India. In international hotels you may find it served, but if you are having a meal with an Indian colleague, remember to avoid asking for a beer if your arrival coincides with one of those dates. 2. In Arab countries, the politeness and generosity of the people is without parallel. If you admire your colleague’s beautiful golden bowls, you may well find yourself being presented with them as a present. This is not a cheap way to do your shopping, however, as your host will, quite correctly, expect you to respond by presenting him with a gift of equal worth and beauty. In Thailand, clicking the fingers, clapping your hand, or just shouting “Waiter!” will embarrass your hosts, fellow diners, the waiter himself and, most of all, you! Place your palm downward and make an inconspicuous waving gesture, which will produce instant and satisfying results. (21) And finally, in Spain, some businesses maintain the pattern of working until about two o’clock and then returning to the office from 5:30 to 8:00, 9:00 or 10:00 in the evening.
20. What must you avoid doing with your Indian colleague?
解析：C。本题目为细节题。问题为：你必须避免与印度同事一起做什么？根据原文可知，在印度，每个月的第一天和第七个月不能喝酒。在国际酒店里，你可能会发现这里提供了啤酒，但如果你和一位印度同事一起吃饭的时间恰好是这个日期，那就不要再点啤酒了。故正确答案为C。
21、Question 21 is based on the recording you have just heard.
A、They are very easy to satisfy.
B、They have a strong sense of worth.
C、They tend to be friendly and enthusiastic.
D、They have a break from 2:00 to 5:30 p.m.
解析：
Recording Two
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! And welcome to the third in our series of business seminars in the program—Doing Business Abroad. Today we are going to look at intercultural awareness, that is, the fact that not everyone is British, not everyone speaks English, and not everyone does business in the British way. And why should they? (19) If overseas business people are selling to us, then they will make every effort to speak English and to respect our traditions and methods. It is only polite for us to do the same when we visit them. It is not only polite. It is essential if we want to sell British products overseas.
First, a short quiz. Let’s see how inter culturally aware you are.
Question one: Where must you not drink alcohol on the first and seventh of every month?
Question two: Where should you never admire your host’s possessions?
Question three: How should you attract the waiter during a business lunch in Bangkok?
And Question four: Where should you try to make all your appointments either before 2:00 or after 5:30 p.m.?
Ok. Everyone had a chance to make some notes? Right. Here are the answers—although I am sure that the information could equally apply to countries other than those I have chosen.
So, number 1, (20) you must not drink alcohol on the first and seventh of the month in India. In international hotels you may find it served, but if you are having a meal with an Indian colleague, remember to avoid asking for a beer if your arrival coincides with one of those dates. 2. In Arab countries, the politeness and generosity of the people is without parallel. If you admire your colleague’s beautiful golden bowls, you may well find yourself being presented with them as a present. This is not a cheap way to do your shopping, however, as your host will, quite correctly, expect you to respond by presenting him with a gift of equal worth and beauty. In Thailand, clicking the fingers, clapping your hand, or just shouting “Waiter!” will embarrass your hosts, fellow diners, the waiter himself and, most of all, you! Place your palm downward and make an inconspicuous waving gesture, which will produce instant and satisfying results. (21) And finally, in Spain, some businesses maintain the pattern of working until about two o’clock and then returning to the office from 5:30 to 8:00, 9:00 or 10:00 in the evening.
21. What do we learn about some Spanish business people?
解析：D。本题目为细节题。问题为：关于西班牙商人，我们能了解到什么？根据讲话者在最后提到的西班牙企业的上班模式可知，西班牙人通常会工作到下午两点下班，然后在晚上5:30的时候再回到办公室上班，一直到八点、九点或十点。所以西班牙人会在下午2点到下午5点半休息，故正确答案为D。
22、Question 22 is based on the recording you have just heard.
A、He completely changed the company’s culture.
B、He collected paintings by world-famous artists.
C、He took over the sales department of Reader’s Digest.
D、He had the company’s boardroom extensively renovated.
解析：
Recording Three
(22) Shortly after he took over the Reader's Digest Association in 1984, George Grune unlocked the company's boardroom and announced that the room was now open to the employees. It was a symbolic act, indicating that under Grune's leadership Reader's Digest was going to be different. True to his word, Grune has shaken up the culture here.
To get an idea of the culture we're talking about, consider the boardroom Grune opened up. It has artworks that any museum in the world would want to collect, paintings by many world-famous artists like Monet and Picasso. Its headquarters houses some 3,000 works of art. The main building is topped with a Georgian Tower with four sculptures of mythical winged horse, the magazine's corporate logo. It sits on 127 acres of well-trimmed lawns. The editor's office used to be occupied by founder Dewitt Wallace, who, along with his wife, Lila Acheson. Wallace, launched Reader's Digest in 1922 with condensed articles from other publications. It has become the world's most widely read magazine, selling 28 million copies each month in 17 languages and 41 different editions. (23) The Wallaces, both children of church ministers, had a clearly defined formula for their “little magazine” as the Reader's Digest was originally subtitled. Articles were to be short, readable and uplifting. Subjects were picked to inspire or entertain. The Wallaces didn't accept advertising in the US edition until 1955 and even then they didn't allow any ads for cigarette, liquor or drugs.
(24) The Wallaces also had a clear sense of the kind of workplace they wanted. It started as a mom-and-pop operation, and the childless Wallaces always considered employees to be part of their family. Employees still tell stories of how the Wallaces would take care of their employees who had met with misfortunes and they showered their employees with unusual benefits, like a turkey at Thanksgiving and Fridays off in May. This cozy workplace no longer exists here. The Wallaces both dead in their nineties in the early 1980s. George Grune, a former ad salesman who joint Reader's Digest in 1960 has his eye focused on the bottom line. In a few short years, he turned the magazine on his head. (25) He laid off several hundred workers. Especially hard hit were the blue- and pink-collar departments, such as subscription fulfillment.
22. What did George Grune do in 1984?
解析：A。本题目为细节题。问题为：George Grune在1984做了什么？根据原文可知，在1984年接手《读者文摘》之后不久，George Grune打开了公司董事会的大门，并宣布该公司现在对员工开放。一如他所说，Grune动摇了这里的文化。故正确答案为A。
23、Question 23 is based on the recordinh you have just heard.
A、It should be sold at a reasonable price.
B、Its articles should be short and inspiring.
C、It should be published in the world’s leading languages.
D、Its articles should entertain blue- and pink-collar workers.
解析：
Recording Three
(22) Shortly after he took over the Reader's Digest Association in 1984, George Grune unlocked the company's boardroom and announced that the room was now open to the employees. It was a symbolic act, indicating that under Grune's leadership Reader's Digest was going to be different. True to his word, Grune has shaken up the culture here.
To get an idea of the culture we're talking about, consider the boardroom Grune opened up. It has artworks that any museum in the world would want to collect, paintings by many world-famous artists like Monet and Picasso. Its headquarters houses some 3,000 works of art. The main building is topped with a Georgian Tower with four sculptures of mythical winged horse, the magazine's corporate logo. It sits on 127 acres of well-trimmed lawns. The editor's office used to be occupied by founder Dewitt Wallace, who, along with his wife, Lila Acheson. Wallace, launched Reader's Digest in 1922 with condensed articles from other publications. It has become the world's most widely read magazine, selling 28 million copies each month in 17 languages and 41 different editions. (23) The Wallaces, both children of church ministers, had a clearly defined formula for their “little magazine” as the Reader's Digest was originally subtitled. Articles were to be short, readable and uplifting. Subjects were picked to inspire or entertain. The Wallaces didn't accept advertising in the US edition until 1955 and even then they didn't allow any ads for cigarette, liquor or drugs.
(24) The Wallaces also had a clear sense of the kind of workplace they wanted. It started as a mom-and-pop operation, and the childless Wallaces always considered employees to be part of their family. Employees still tell stories of how the Wallaces would take care of their employees who had met with misfortunes and they showered their employees with unusual benefits, like a turkey at Thanksgiving and Fridays off in May. This cozy workplace no longer exists here. The Wallaces both dead in their nineties in the early 1980s. George Grune, a former ad salesman who joint Reader's Digest in 1960 has his eye focused on the bottom line. In a few short years, he turned the magazine on his head. (25) He laid off several hundred workers. Especially hard hit were the blue- and pink-collar departments, such as subscription fulfillment.
23. How did the Wallaces define the formula for Reader’s Digest?
解析：B。本题目为细节题。问题为：Wallace夫妇是如何定义《读者文摘》的准则要求的?根据原文可知，Wallace夫妇都是教会牧师的孩子，他们对杂志的文章有一个明确的准则要求，文章要短小，可读性强，令人振奋。故正确答案为B。
24、Question 24 is based on the recording you have just heard.
A、He knew how to make the magazine profitable.
B、He served as a church minister for many years.
C、He suffered many setbacks and misfortunes in his life.
D、He treated the employees like members of his family.
解析：
Recording Three
(22) Shortly after he took over the Reader's Digest Association in 1984, George Grune unlocked the company's boardroom and announced that the room was now open to the employees. It was a symbolic act, indicating that under Grune's leadership Reader's Digest was going to be different. True to his word, Grune has shaken up the culture here.
To get an idea of the culture we're talking about, consider the boardroom Grune opened up. It has artworks that any museum in the world would want to collect, paintings by many world-famous artists like Monet and Picasso. Its headquarters houses some 3,000 works of art. The main building is topped with a Georgian Tower with four sculptures of mythical winged horse, the magazine's corporate logo. It sits on 127 acres of well-trimmed lawns. The editor's office used to be occupied by founder Dewitt Wallace, who, along with his wife, Lila Acheson. Wallace, launched Reader's Digest in 1922 with condensed articles from other publications. It has become the world's most widely read magazine, selling 28 million copies each month in 17 languages and 41 different editions. (23) The Wallaces, both children of church ministers, had a clearly defined formula for their “little magazine” as the Reader's Digest was originally subtitled. Articles were to be short, readable and uplifting. Subjects were picked to inspire or entertain. The Wallaces didn't accept advertising in the US edition until 1955 and even then they didn't allow any ads for cigarette, liquor or drugs.
(24) The Wallaces also had a clear sense of the kind of workplace they wanted. It started as a mom-and-pop operation, and the childless Wallaces always considered employees to be part of their family. Employees still tell stories of how the Wallaces would take care of their employees who had met with misfortunes and they showered their employees with unusual benefits, like a turkey at Thanksgiving and Fridays off in May. This cozy workplace no longer exists here. The Wallaces both dead in their nineties in the early 1980s. George Grune, a former ad salesman who joint Reader's Digest in 1960 has his eye focused on the bottom line. In a few short years, he turned the magazine on his head. (25) He laid off several hundred workers. Especially hard hit were the blue- and pink-collar departments, such as subscription fulfillment.
24. What do we learn about the founder of Reader’s Digest to Dewitt Wallace?
解析：D。本题目为细节题。问题为：我们对《读者文摘》的创始人Dewitt Wallace有何了解？根据原文可知，《读者文摘》的创始人清楚地意识到自己想要的工作环境和企业文化。这家公司最初是一家夫妻店，他们没有孩子，Wallace夫妇一直认为员工是他们家庭的一部分。故正确答案为D。
25、Question 25 is based on the recording you have just heard.
A、It carried many more advertisements.
B、George Grune joined it as an ad salesman.
C、Several hundreds of its employees got fired.
D、Its subscriptions increased considerably.
解析：
Recording Three
(22) Shortly after he took over the Reader's Digest Association in 1984, George Grune unlocked the company's boardroom and announced that the room was now open to the employees. It was a symbolic act, indicating that under Grune's leadership Reader's Digest was going to be different. True to his word, Grune has shaken up the culture here.
To get an idea of the culture we're talking about, consider the boardroom Grune opened up. It has artworks that any museum in the world would want to collect, paintings by many world-famous artists like Monet and Picasso. Its headquarters houses some 3,000 works of art. The main building is topped with a Georgian Tower with four sculptures of mythical winged horse, the magazine's corporate logo. It sits on 127 acres of well-trimmed lawns. The editor's office used to be occupied by founder Dewitt Wallace, who, along with his wife, Lila Acheson. Wallace, launched Reader's Digest in 1922 with condensed articles from other publications. It has become the world's most widely read magazine, selling 28 million copies each month in 17 languages and 41 different editions. (23) The Wallaces, both children of church ministers, had a clearly defined formula for their “little magazine” as the Reader's Digest was originally subtitled. Articles were to be short, readable and uplifting. Subjects were picked to inspire or entertain. The Wallaces didn't accept advertising in the US edition until 1955 and even then they didn't allow any ads for cigarette, liquor or drugs.
(24) The Wallaces also had a clear sense of the kind of workplace they wanted. It started as a mom-and-pop operation, and the childless Wallaces always considered employees to be part of their family. Employees still tell stories of how the Wallaces would take care of their employees who had met with misfortunes and they showered their employees with unusual benefits, like a turkey at Thanksgiving and Fridays off in May. This cozy workplace no longer exists here. The Wallaces both dead in their nineties in the early 1980s. George Grune, a former ad salesman who joint Reader's Digest in 1960 has his eye focused on the bottom line. In a few short years, he turned the magazine on his head. (25) He laid off several hundred workers. Especially hard hit were the blue- and pink-collar departments, such as subscription fulfillment.
25. What change took place in Reader’s Digest after the Wallaces’ death?
解析：C。本题目为细节题。问题为：Wallace夫妇去世后《读者文摘》发生了什么变化？根据原文可知，Wallace夫妇去世后，George Grune并解雇了几百名工人。故正确答案为C。
二、Part III Reading Comprehension
Did Sarah Josepha Hale write “Mary’s Little Lamb,” the eternal nursery rhyme (儿歌) about a girl named Mary with a stubborn lamb? This is still disputed, but it’s clear that the woman (26)_____ for writing it was one of America’s most fascinating (27)_____ . In honor of the poem’s publication on May 24,1830, here’s more about the (28)_____ author’s life.
Hale wasn’t just a writer, she was also a (29)_____ social advocate, and she was particularly (30)_____ with an ideal New England, which she associated with abundant Thanksgiving meals that she claimed had “a deep moral influence.” She began a nationwide (31)_____ to have a national holiday declared that would bring families together while celebrating the (32)_____ festivals. In 1863, after 17 years of advocacy including letters to five presidents, Hale got it. President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, issued a (33)_____ setting aside the last Thursday in November for the holiday.
The true authorship of “Mary’s Little Lamb” is disputed. According to New England Historical Society, Hale wrote only one part of the poem, but claimed authorship. Regardless of the author, it seems that the poem was (34)_____ by a real event. When young Mary Sawyer was followed to school by a lamb in 1816, it caused some problems. A bystander named John Roulstone wrote a poem about the event, then, at some point, Hale herself seems to have helped write it. However, if a 1916 piece by her great-niece is to be trusted, Hale claimed for the (35)_____ of her life that “some other people pretended that someone else wrote the poem”.
26、(1)
A、rectified
B、inspired
C、features
D、reputed
E、proclamation
F、campaign
G、fierce
H、traditional
I、obsessed
J、supposed
K、rest
L、versatile
M、characters
N、latter
O、career
解析：
名词：
campaign 活动；运动
career 职业
characters 性格；人物
features 特点
proclamation 公告；声明
rest 剩余部分；休息
动词：
inspired 鼓舞；启发
obsessed 使着迷
rectified 调整；改正
reputed 据说
supposed 假设；猜想
形容词：
fierce 凶猛的；狂热的
latter 后者的
traditional 传统的
versatile 多面的；多才多艺的
26. reputed
解析：动词辨析题。空格前为名词woman，空格后是介词for，空格处应填入形容词或动词的分词形式。备选项有reputed（据说）和supposed（假设，猜想）。根据语义，前文提到这首儿歌的作者是谁仍存在争议，但明确的是据称写了这首歌的女子是美国…。因此空格处的词需要褒义且和介词for搭配，故本空填入reputed。
27. characters
解析：名词辨析题。空格前为形容词fascinating的最高级形式，前面还有one of，空格处应填入名词的复数形式。备选项有characters（性格，人物）和features（特点）。根据语义，女子是美国最迷人的人物之一。故本空填入characters。
28. supposed
解析：形容词辨析题。空格前为定冠词the，空格后为名词author，所以空格处应填入形容词。备选项有fierce（凶猛的，狂热的）、inspired（卓越的，激动人心的）、latter（后者的）、reputed（据说的，有声望的）、supposed（假定的）、traditional（传统的）、versatile（多面的，多才多艺的）。根据语义，表示据说的作者的生活。reputed为强干扰项，但前面已经选过，故排除，因此本空填入supposed。
29. fierce
解析：形容词辨析题。空格前为不定冠词a，空格后为名词短语social advocate，冠词a后面加可数名词单数。备选项有fierce（凶猛的，狂热的）、inspired（卓越的，激动人心的）、latter（后者的）、traditional（传统的）、versatile（多面的，多才多艺的）。根据语义，Hale不仅是个作家，她还是个狂热的社会运动倡导者。故本空填入E）fierce。
30. obsessed
解析：动词辨析题。空格前为系动词was，空后介词with，be ~ with 搭配，空格处应填入动词的被动形式。备选项有inspired（鼓舞，启发）、obsessed（使着迷）、rectified（调整、改正）。根据语义，她痴迷于建立起一个理想中的新英格兰。be obsessed with为固定搭配“使…着迷”，故本空填入obsessed。
31. campaign
解析：名词辨析题。空格前为a nationwid，空格后为介词to，空格处应该填入可数名词单数形式。备选项有campaign（活动，运动）、career（职业）、proclamation（公告，声明）、rest（剩余部分，休息）。根据语义，她开启了一个全国范围内的运动。故本空填入campaign。
32. traditional
解析：形容词辨析题。空格前为定冠词the，空格后为名词festivals，空格处应填入形容词。备选项有F）inspired（卓越的，激动人心的）、latter（后者的）、traditional（传统的）、versatile（多面的，多才多艺的）。根据语义，庆祝这个传统节日。故本空填入N）traditional。
33. proclamation
解析：名词辨析题。空格前为不定冠词a，空格处应该填入可数名词单数形式。备选项有B）career（职业）、proclamation（公告，声明）、rest（剩余部分，休息）。根据语义，林肯总统在内战期间颁布了一项公告，将这个节日定在十一月最后一个星期四。故本空填入proclamation。
34. inspired
解析：动词辨析题。空格前为系动词was，空格后为介词by，空格处应该填入动词的过去分词构成被动语态。备选项有inspired（鼓舞，启发）、rectified（调整、改正）。根据语义，似乎这首诗是受真实事件的启发而创作完成的。故本空填入inspired。
35. rest
解析：名词辨析题。空格前为定冠词the，空格后为介词of，空格处应该填入名词。备选项有career（职业）、features（特点）、rest（剩余部分，休息）。根据语义，Hale的余生都宣“一些人谎称是别人写了这首诗”。the rest of life表示余生，故本空填入rest。
27、(2)
A、rectified
B、inspired
C、features
D、reputed
E、proclamation
F、campaign
G、fierce
H、traditional
I、obsessed
J、supposed
K、rest
L、versatile
M、characters
N、latter
O、career
解析：见上一题！
28、(3)
A、rectified
B、inspired
C、features
D、reputed
E、proclamation
F、campaign
G、fierce
H、traditional
I、obsessed
J、supposed
K、rest
L、versatile
M、characters
N、latter
O、career
解析：见上一题！
29、(4)
A、rectified
B、inspired
C、features
D、reputed
E、proclamation
F、campaign
G、fierce
H、traditional
I、obsessed
J、supposed
K、rest
L、versatile
M、characters
N、latter
O、career
解析：见上一题！
30、(5)
A、rectified
B、inspired
C、features
D、reputed
E、proclamation
F、campaign
G、fierce
H、traditional
I、obsessed
J、supposed
K、rest
L、versatile
M、characters
N、latter
O、career
解析：见上一题！
31、(6)
A、rectified
B、inspired
C、features
D、reputed
E、proclamation
F、campaign
G、fierce
H、traditional
I、obsessed
J、supposed
K、rest
L、versatile
M、characters
N、latter
O、career
解析：见上一题！
32、(7)
A、rectified
B、inspired
C、features
D、reputed
E、proclamation
F、campaign
G、fierce
H、traditional
I、obsessed
J、supposed
K、rest
L、versatile
M、characters
N、latter
O、career
解析：见上一题！
33、(8)
A、rectified
B、inspired
C、features
D、reputed
E、proclamation
F、campaign
G、fierce
H、traditional
I、obsessed
J、supposed
K、rest
L、versatile
M、characters
N、latter
O、career
解析：见上一题！
34、(9)
A、rectified
B、inspired
C、features
D、reputed
E、proclamation
F、campaign
G、fierce
H、traditional
I、obsessed
J、supposed
K、rest
L、versatile
M、characters
N、latter
O、career
解析：见上一题！
35、(10)
A、rectified
B、inspired
C、features
D、reputed
E、proclamation
F、campaign
G、fierce
H、traditional
I、obsessed
J、supposed
K、rest
L、versatile
M、characters
N、latter
O、career
解析：见上一题！
Grow Plants Without Water
【A】Ever since humanity began to farm our own food, we’ve faced an unpredictable rain that is both friend and enemy. It comes and goes without much warning, and a field of lush（茂盛的） leafy greens one year can dry up and blow away the next. Food security and fortunes depend on rain, and nowhere more so than in Africa, where 96% of farmland depends on rain instead of the irrigation common in more developed places. It has consequences: South Africa’s ongoing drought—the worst in three decades—will cost at least a quarter of its corn crop this year.
【B】Biologist Jill Farrant of the University of Cape Town in South Africa says that nature has plenty of answers for people who want to grow crops in places with unpredictable rainfall. She is hard at work finding a way to take traits from rare wild plants that adapt to extreme dry weather and use them in food crops. As the earth’s climate changes and rainfall becomes even less predictable in some places, those answers will grow even more valuable. “The type of farming I’m aiming for is literally so that people can survive as it’s going to get more and more dry,” Farrant says.
【C】Extreme conditions produce extremely tough plants. In the rusty red deserts of South Africa, steep-sided rocky hills called inselbergs rear up from the plains like the bones of the earth. The hills are remnants of an earlier geological era, scraped bare of most soil and exposed to the elements. Yet on these and similar formations in deserts around the world, a few fierce plants have adapted to endure under ever-changing conditions.
【D】Farrant calls them resurrection plants（复苏植物）. During months without water under a harsh sun, they wither, shrink and contract until they look like a pile of dead gray leaves. But rainfall can revive them in a matter of hours. Her time-lapse（间接性拍摄的） videos of the revivals look like someone playing a tape of the plant’s death in reverse.
【E】The big difference between “drought-tolerant” plants and these tough plants: metabolism. Many different kinds of plants have developed tactics to weather dry spells. Some plants store reserves of water to see them through a drought; others send roots deep down to subsurface water supplies. But once these plants use up their stored reserve or tap out the underground supply, they cease growing and start to die. They may be able to handle a drought of some length, and many people use the term “drought tolerant” to describe such plants, but they never actually stop needing to consume water, so Farrant prefers to call them drought resistant.
【F】Resurrection plants, defined as those capable of recovering from holding less than 0.1 grams of water per gram of dry mass, are different. They lack water-storing structures, and their existence on rock faces prevents them from tapping groundwater, so they have instead developed the ability to change their metabolism. When they detect an extended dry period, they divert their metabolisms, producing sugars and certain stress-associated proteins and other materials in their tissues. As the plant dries, these resources take on first the properties of honey, then rubber, and finally enter a glass-like state that is “the most stable state that the plant can maintain,” Farrant says. That slows the plant’s metabolism and protects its dried-out tissues. The plants also change shape, shrinking to minimize the surface area through which their remaining water might evaporate. They can recover from months and years without water, depending on the species.
【G】What else can do this dry-out-and-revive trick? Seeds—almost all of them. At the start of her career, Farrant studied “recalcitrant seeds（顽拗性种子）,” such as avocados, coffee and lychee. While tasty, such seeds are delicate—they cannot bud and grow if they dry out (as you may know if you’ve ever tried to grow a tree from an avocado pit). In the seed world, that makes them rare, because most seeds from flowering plant are quite robust. Most seeds can wait out the dry, unwelcoming seasons until conditions are right and they sprout（发芽）. Yet once they start growing, such plants seem not to retain the ability to hit the pause button on metabolism in their stems or leaves.
【H】After completing her Ph.D. on seeds, Farrant began investigating whether it might be possible to isolate the properties that make most seeds so resilient （迅速恢复活力的） and transfer them to other plant tissues. What Farrant and others have found over the past two decades is that there are many genes involved in resurrection plants’ response to dryness. Many of them are the same that regulate how seeds become dryness-tolerant while still attached to their parent plant. Now they are trying to figure out what molecular signaling processes activate those seed-building genes in resurrection plants—and how to reproduce them in crops. “Most genes are regulated by a master set of genes,” Farrant says. “We’re looking at gene promoters and what would be their master switch.”
【I】Once Farrant and her colleagues feel they have a better sense of which switches to throw, they will have to find the best way to do so in useful crops. “I’m trying three methods of breeding,” Farrant says: conventional, genetic modification and gene editing. She says she is aware that plenty of people do not want to eat genetically modified crops, but she is pushing ahead with every available tool until one works. Farmers and consumers alike can choose whether or not to use whichever version prevails: “I’m giving people an option.”
【J】Farrant and others in the resurrection business got together last year to discuss the best species of resurrection plant to use as a lab model. Just like medical researchers use rats to test ideas for human medical treatments, botanists use plants that are relatively easy to grow in a lab or greenhouse setting to test their ideas for related species. The Queensland rock violet is one of the best studied resurrection plants so far, with a draft genome（基因图谱） published last year by a Chinese team. Also last year, Farrant and colleagues published a detailed molecular study of another candidate, Xerophyta viscosa, a tough-as-nails South African plant with lily-like flowers, and she says that a genome is on the way. One or both of these models will help researchers test their ideas—so far mostly done in the lab — on test plots.
【K】Understanding the basic science first is key. There are good reasons why crop plants do not use dryness defenses already. For instance, there’s a high energy cost in switching from a regular metabolism to an almost-no-water metabolism. It will also be necessary to understand what sort of yield farmers might expect and to establish the plant’s safety. “The yield is never going to be high,” Farrant says, so these plants will be targeted not at Iowa farmers trying to squeeze more cash out of high-yield fields, but subsistence farmers who need help to survive a drought like the present one in South Africa. “My vision is for the subsistence farmer,” Farrant says. “I’m targeting crops that are of African value.”
36、36. There are a couple of plants tough and adaptable enough to survive on bare rocky hills and in deserts.
A、A
B、B
C、C
D、D
E、E
F、F
G、G
H、H
I、I
J、J
K、K
解析：36. 有几种植物，它们坚韧，适应性强，足以在裸露的岩石山丘和沙漠中生存。
